China is reluctant to increase policing and defence support in East Timor due to the potential reaction from Australia, the Pacific nation's president says.
Giving credit to Beijing, Jose Ramos-Horta says more Chinese support could span infrastructure for the defence force and police, including by building compounds.
"Sometimes when I chat with the Chinese about increasing their support ... they say they'd be willing to do, but they are a bit concerned about the over-reaction - or potential over-reaction - in Australia and elsewhere," he told ABC radio on Monday.
